Docherty, Groff Take Inaugural Beijing International Triathlon

Olympians Bevan Docherty and Sarah Groff earned the victories at the 2012 Beijing International Triathlon, which featured a $100,000 prize purse.

PHOTOS: 2012 Beijing International Triathlon

Read the race recap, provided by the event, below:

The weather was perfect, and the sky was blue as nearly 300 professional and amateur athletes from around the world took the plunge into Qing Long Lake to compete in the first-ever Beijing International Triathlon on Sunday, Sept. 16. Two-time Olympic Medalist Bevan Docherty from New Zealand won the inaugural race and Olympian Sarah Groff from the United States took first place among the women, a rewarding win after just missing a medal with her fourth place finish in the 2012 London Summer Olympics.

Featuring a 1.5K swim in Qing Long Lake; a 40K bike race through the villages of Fengtai to Qian Ling Mountain, the highest peak in Southwest Beijing; and a final 10K run along stone paths, trails and bridges of Qing Long Lake Park, this all-new Olympic distance triathlon truly showcased the beauty, tradition and hospitality of China. Racers from 13 to 65-years old represented 25 countries. A prestigious field of the world’s top professional athletes including Chris “Macca” McCormack, Bevan Docherty, Matt Reed, Brian Fleishmann, Bai Faquan, Jenna Parker, Becky Lavelle, Sarah Groff, Ricarda Lisk, Nicky Samuels and Zhang Yi, competed for $100,000 in prize money.

“It was the perfect day in the Fengtai district of Beijing for a triathlon, the air was clean the water temperature comfortable and the course smooth with flat roads, good climbs and a picturesque scenery; it had everything,” said 2012 Beijing International Triathlon male winner Bevan Docherty. “I felt really strong throughout the entire race, even when I was neck and neck with Matt Reed on the bike and then again after a bit of cat and mouse with him on the run, I was able to push ahead. It was a great race, a lot of fun and I look forward to coming back to Beijing next year.”

“After the high pressure environment of racing in the London Olympics, to come to Beijing and feel the warmth of the people, the cheers from the crowds and see the beautiful scenery, it made me remember why I love this sport,” said 2012 Beijing International Triathlon female first place winner Sarah Groff.

Beijing International Triathlon
Beijing, China – Sept. 16, 2012
1.5K swim, 40K bike, 10K run

Men
1. Bevan Docherty (NZL) 1:54:24
2. Matt Reed (USA) 2:03:53
3. Chris “Macca” McCormack (AUS) 1:56:37
4. Brian Fleishmann (USA) 1:58: 37
5. Bal Faquan (CHN) 2:03:03

Women
1. Sarah Groff (USA) 2:04:09
2. Nicky Samuels (NZL) 2:05:52
3. Becky Lavelle (USA) 2:06:40
4. Jenna Parker (USA) 2:06:47
5. Ricarda Lisk (GER) 2:14:32